Required Application Materials

1. ADMISSIONS APPLICATION

Freshman applicants can apply using either the UW System Application or the Common Application.

Transfer students can apply using the UW System Application.

UW–Madison does not prefer one application over the other. Please choose only one application and use only that application all the way through to submission.

Please note that we do not start processing fall term applications until September 1.

Applicants will be asked to identify both a first and second choice major when completing the application for admission. If we are unable to offer you admission to your first choice major, your second choice will be considered in our application review to assess interest and preparation. Due to the competitive nature of some of our programs, admissions expectations may be different for students pursuing majors in business, engineering, dance, and music. We encourage you to visit our direct entry page to learn more.

2. APPLICATION FEE

The application fee is $60.00 US and is non-refundable.

Electronic payment is preferred. If you apply using the UW System Application, the fee can be paid by check or money order, drawn on a US bank and payable to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Send the check or money order to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Please include the applicant’s name with payment. Do not send cash.

Application fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. Students who apply using the UW System Application can print this form and submit it to their school official for verification of hardship and signature. Send the completed form to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Students who apply using the Common Application may request a fee waiver while filling out their application. Your counselor must validate and approve your request for a fee waiver, and then our office will review it and a decision will be made regarding waiver of the fee. If the College Board or the ACT grant you a fee waiver, we will accept it.

3. COURSE AND GRADE INFORMATION

Freshmen: If you apply via the Common Application, you will need to self-report your courses and grades. If you apply via the UW System Application, we require you to submit official transcripts from all schools attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly from each school attended.

If you earned your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), submit your official score report in addition to all high school or home school transcripts.

Electronic transcripts must be sent through a secure, approved document sending service. Transcripts sent through email, as an attachment, will not be accepted as official. Paper transcripts sent to our office must bear an official school seal or be printed on the school’s custom watermarked/security paper.

Students currently or previously enrolled at UW Colleges, a UW System branch campus, or UW Colleges Online must submit transcripts according to the guidelines at Requesting a Transcript.

Students applying from outside the United States can find country-specific official transcript requirements here.

Transfer: We require official high school transcripts, which need to be sent to us by your school. We review your high school record to check for proof of graduation, the completion of core preparation requirements, and to learn more about your educational background. High school grades will play a more important role in the admission review for applicants who have completed fewer transferable college credits. If you earned your General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), submit your official score report in addition to all high school or home school transcripts.

Request official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you attended. The transcripts should include all college-level coursework completed to date, including your current term in progress, and (if applicable) college classes taken while in high school.

Electronic transcripts must be sent through a secure document sending service. Transcripts sent through email, as an attachment, will not be accepted as official. Paper transcripts sent to our office must bear an official school seal or be printed on the school’s custom watermarked/security paper.

Students applying from outside the United States can find country-specific official transcript requirements here.

Homeschool: Homeschooled students are expected to cover required course work at a level of achievement similar to that of our freshman applicants. On a transcript, the homeschool administrator should be sure to indicate:

• what courses are completed and what is in progress,
• the grades earned for each course, and
• a brief summary of what is covered in each course.

Detailed performance evaluations or course bibliographies are helpful but are not required. To figure out a format that works best, you might find it helpful to review tips about preparing a transcript provided by homeschooltranscripts.com or the HSLDA.

If homeschooling has been supplemented by formal coursework either at the secondary school or post-secondary level, official transcripts from the school(s) or college(s) are required.

4. OFFICIAL TEST SCORES

Freshmen: Scores from either the ACT or the SAT are required and must be sent directly from the testing agency. We do not require the writing portion of either the ACT or the SAT. Our test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT.

Test scores are not received immediately. The time for test scores to arrive in our office from the testing agency can vary greatly and may take multiple weeks. We highly recommend that you send your test scores as early as possible to ensure they arrive before our deadlines. Do not send your results rush (SAT) or priority (ACT) as there is not an advantage to rush or priority delivery.

To assure consideration for Early Action, scores must be requested from the testing agency and received by our office by November 1. Students who wish to apply for Early Action are encouraged to take the ACT or SAT no later than the end of September and request their scores be sent immediately. For consideration in our Regular Decision period, students are encouraged to take their test no later than the end of December.

We do not use or accept superscores for admission.

Freshman applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school. Our TOEFL test code is 1846. TOEFL must be submitted electronically from the testing service. We do not accept the IELTS electronically. Please have a paper copy of your results sent directly from the testing agency to our office through the mail. Be sure to give additional time for this process.

If you feel that you qualify for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver based upon the requirements above, please submit all required transcripts to our office. Other test scores such as ACT or SAT score do not meet the requirements for a waiver. Once your transcripts are received in our office (are no longer displayed on your to-do list in your Student Center), we will determine your waiver eligibility. Waivers will not be processed prior to receipt of both the admissions application and transcripts.

UW–Madison accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET) as supplemental information but it does not fulfill the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

Regarding Required Testing: Due to the cancellations that have taken place related to COVID-19, College Board (SAT) and ACT anticipate additional opportunities for students to take those tests. UW–Madison believes students will have the opportunity to take these tests in time to apply for the Fall 2021 term and continues to require an SAT or ACT score as part of the application. We continue to monitor information from College Board and ACT regarding the testing schedule and the developing situation. Should testing not be available to students, we will reevaluate the requirement and communicate this with students. We encourage your family to monitor the websites for College Board and ACT, as they are full of great information and updates to help you stay informed and make the decision that is best for your student and your family.

Transfer: Scores from either the ACT or the SAT are not required of transfer applicants. However, if you’ve taken either test, we encourage you to provide us with your scores. Your results will be considered as supplemental academic information and may help strengthen your application. We do not require the writing portion of either the ACT or the SAT. Test scores should be sent directly from the testing service. Our test code is 4656 for the ACT and 1846 for the SAT. Do not send your results rush (SAT) or priority (ACT); we receive all scores electronically on a daily basis so there is not an advantage to rush or priority delivery.

Transfer applicants from non-English speaking countries must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, unless they have completed and received a passing grade in a college level English composition course at a US college or university. Our TOEFL test code is 1846. TOEFL must be submitted electronically from the testing service. We do not accept the IELTS electronically. Please have a paper copy of your results sent directly from the testing agency to our office through the mail. Be sure to give additional time for this process.

If you feel that you qualify for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver based upon the requirements above, please submit all required transcripts to our office. Once your transcripts are received in our office (are no longer displayed on your to-do list in your Student Center), we will determine your waiver eligibility. Waivers will not be processed prior to receipt of both the admissions application and transcripts.

UW–Madison accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET) as supplemental information but it does not fulfill the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

5. TWO ESSAYS

As part of our holistic review, we refer to the essays you submit to understand more about you. What you choose to share gives us an idea of who you are and what you want to accomplish as part of our community. Tell us about you and your unique story to help us know you beyond your GPA and test scores. Your essays might also be used for campus program and scholarship review.

If you apply using the Common Application, you will be asked to respond to one of the freshman Common Application essays. If you apply with the UW System Application, you will need to answer the following prompt:

• This part is all about you. Tell us about something you’ve done — academically or personally — and what you’ve learned from it. Was it a success or a challenge? Did it represent a turning point in your life? How did this particular moment in your life influence you, and how will it continue to influence you as you pursue your college education?

All applicants will also need to respond to this prompt:

• Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.

Keep these tips in mind as you work on your writing:

• Develop your thoughts before you begin the writing process, and create an outline.
• The maximum word count for each essay is 650, but we recommend planning for 300-500 words.
• Do not type directly into the web form. Instead, work on your draft in word processing software.
• Allow time to develop and revisit your writing.
• Check for spelling mistakes and ask someone to proofread your final version.
• Be genuine and honest in your writing.

6. ONE REQUIRED LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

We require you to submit one letter of recommendation written by someone who can attest to your academic ability, such as a teacher, school counselor, or faculty member. If you choose, you can also submit another letter of recommendation from an additional source, such as an employer, coach, research mentor, community leader, or clergy. Students with an interest in engineering are encouraged to obtain a letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher. Remember to have a discussion with your chosen recommender first to see if they are willing and able to provide a letter.

We encourage applicants who have been away from formal classroom teaching for an extended period to request a letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to their academic potential, such as an employer (preferably a supervisor or manager), a program or departmental trainer, or some other individual in an official instructional capacity.

Those who apply using the Common Application should request a recommendation through that system.

If you apply using the UW System Application, your recommender should select the link that best describes your situation:

• Invite someone to submit a recommendation (I have my NetID)
• Invite someone to submit a recommendation (no NetID)
• Submit a recommendation on behalf of someone

Recommendations that are mailed to our office must include the applicant’s full name, birth date, and campus ID number (if known). Additionally, letters of recommendation from a school staff member may also be sent through Naviance. Please note that letters of recommendation expire after one year from the date it is written.